Member's Press Release

Rupert Phillips

Delegate Rupie Phillips Officially Becomes An Independent

“West Virginians want change and so do I,” says Delegate Phillips

MAN, W.Va. – After yet another election when the Democratic party went further to the left and many West Virginians expressed their frustration with the status quo in our state, Delegate Rupie Phillips was hoping his now former party would have gotten the message. After seeing the reaction to the Presidential Inauguration, Phillips will officially file his paperwork with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office today to become the only “Independent” in the West Virginia Legislature.

“It is clear to me that the citizens of my district want a true Independent voice in Charleston,” Delegate Phillips said. “I have been and will continue to be that voice. The people have also been more important than party affiliation to me, and I hope this action sends a message to everyone that the people of southern West Virginia want and deserve change.

“I am an American first, a West Virginian second, and a proud resident of Logan County,” Phillips said. “The ‘War on Coal’ has hurt nearly everyone I know. By becoming an Independent, I know that it will put me in a better position to make sure the concerns of my district are heard. No matter what my party affiliation is I will always be pro-coal, pro-gun, pro-life and pro-jobs – unfortunately not many in the Democratic party share those views anymore.”

Delegate Rupert “Rupie” Phillips, Jr. was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2010 and was just re-elected in District 24. Rupie works in the coal industry, is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and attended Man High School.